I'm not quite sure how to share this story but as I write this, I understand this is a lived experience I must own, both in public and in private, so here it is.

In May 2025 I graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with honors in my major Econometrics. What followed after was the wildest pivot I have ever experienced. As international student, I applied for work authorization the month I graduated. The standard processing time for this is 2-3 months unfortunately, in what my school DSO claims to be an unprecedented, never before seen in her experience event, my application was delayed and approved only in February 2026.

While being forced to remain unemployed for 9 months, I had no where to go but deep within, facing myself on the daily. These months were extremely frustrating. Financially, mentally, and socially they did their best to drain me.

However I understood instantly:

I'm the only one that can really help me here. Thus, I chose to make the most of my time.

As an aspiring musician since my youngest years, I chose this time to start my own record label. I self-produced/wrote/edited and released 3 albums: Flow., Flow.(II), Flow.(II.IV) all of which are made for one sitting with a structure that thrives on smooth transitions and a cohesive narrative. As I kept pushing over these months I was able to generate a combined online reach of over 3+ million views, impressions and interactions, fueled purely by the love for creating and a $0 marketing budget.

You may find the world I have been building here:

https://linktr.ee/srjisded

Come Janurary, I got my first major breakthrough: I was able to get into three of the top music business programs in the world: S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts & BIMM University all of which start in September.

As awesome as this is, I now stand at a massive crossroads. These months of unemployment mean I cannot afford any of these programs. Despite this, the creator in me refuses to give up. Thus, starting last week, I have begun documenting my journey as I find my way to funding this education.

The first step I've chosen to do, after months of living this alone, is be brave enough to seek help beyond my self. I have started a go fund me page, where I post daily updates, vlogging this journey from the perspective of a broke musician.

If you would like to support me in this journey, feel free to add your donations to this page.

Thank for taking the time to read my story.

Much love,

Saugat